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As the silent film era drew to a close and the dawn of the talkies approached, so too did Bara’s prominence begin to wane. Once the epitome of cinematic seduction, she struggled against the newly emerging feminine ideals of the flapper generation. Deteriorating public interest combined with her attempts to break free from her vamp persona led to a marked decline in her career.
The Fall of the First Vamp
The turning point for Bara came with her involvement in the controversial project "Kathleen Mavourneen." The film sparked backlash for its portrayal of the Irish, culminating in riots and death threats directed at Bara, ultimately leading to the film's withdrawal from theaters. This marked the low point of her storied career, leaving her without a studio contract by 1920.